Aesthetic touch-ups at age 20: the dangers of high demand to look like Instagram filters

• BEAUTY False eyelashes, hair-to-hair extensions... The tyranny of always being perfect

• EYEBROWS Laminate, the latest viral trend thanks to Rosalía

"We are creating

."

Dermatologist Paloma Cornejo, with a clinic of the same name, draws attention to the promotion of

procedures at an increasingly younger age.

"Without fear, because there are very good products, doctors have to apply a little

to all of this. Especially when it requires an intervention. Mental and physical health must be further promoted," says the medical professional. fur.

The same point of view is presented by Dr. Leo Cerrud, who talks about robotized, perfect and unreal faces.

"Morritos en O: the kiss effect with excessively swollen lips, cat eyes, marked cheekbones, flawless skin... So that, with a click, we look

".

A YOUNGER 'TARGET'

The actress Ester Expósito, 22, is one of the faces that most young people want to look like.

Not surprisingly,

up now occurs at 20 years of age, instead of 35 as a decade ago, according to a report by the Spanish Society of Aesthetic Medicine (SEME).

The study highlights the influence of social networks in this advance and includes

as star treatments.

"The possibility of using filters and the appearance of applications that allow changing the shapes of the face have contributed to generating

in young patients", asserts Dr. Sergio Fernández, second vice president of SEME.

The document also confirms that the pandemic has increased aesthetic touch-ups by

as the obligation to wear masks disappeared, pointing to dissatisfaction when seeing our face as it is.

Are we getting used to a reality filtered by Instagram and TikTok?

Do we aspire to an ideal of

?

THIS IS HOW THE OFFERS INFLUENCE

Aesthetic experts say that the most demanded treatments are lip augmentation and 'foxy eyes', a direct effect of Instagram filters.Shutterstock

If in the 90s

, now you come to consult with your mobile phone in hand and an Instagram post.

"Our job is to make them see that they can improve their appearance, but not change it. We cannot sell aesthetics, in no way, it is a real danger for these young people," argues Dr. Mar Lázaro, an expert in aesthetic medicine.

Aesthetic treatments are being democratized.

Although each person is free to take care of their self-esteem as they wish, says the doctor, the problem at these ages is that in many cases there is still no economic independence, which is why many of these girls and boys who are still studying

, a common procedure.

"I

very much against

in aesthetics. I advocate for quality care, for improving the product and for the professionalism of the doctor", continues Dr. Lázaro.

This is the case of Sandra Martín, 24, who had to remove the hyaluronic acid from her lips that she was

when commenting on a publication because "they were asymmetrical, like a duck and the product stood out."

She was not even provided with the label identifying the substance or preparation.

At least 20% of patients are around 20 years old in Dr. Conchita Pinilla's office and, according to the Spanish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (SECPRE), 1.9% of interventions are performed before of 18. "There has always been access to plastic surgery in young patients, whether due to changes such as the shape of the ears or breast hypertrophy or the desire to reduce fat, among other interventions, but lately

However, she adds, "usually they are very thoughtful decisions and supported by the parents."

ABUSE AND OVERTREATMENT?

View this post on Instagram

The data indicates that generation Y has become aware that care should start earlier.

These

from 30 to 40 years old already act preventively against aging.

But in the new generations this "is being taken to the extreme", says Dr. Antonio Clemente, belonging to the Spanish Group of Aesthetic and Therapeutic Dermatology of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV).

"It is common to see 20-year-old boys and girls who have already had a lot of aesthetic treatments."

The consequence, he expresses, "is that in the end they will spend

."

It can be done, he clarifies, but in a very progressive way and in fair amounts, "without correcting too much, because it can easily fall into

."

Dr. Clemente believes that perhaps it has gone from one extreme to the other.

"From being taboo even as a magnificent tool that can help patients feel good about themselves to the point of becoming trivial."

The problem with social networks, he continues, is that they make anyone believe that they are like a filter.

Today she wears "an exaggeratedly large lip."

So that "the face

nor does it look harmonious."

What happens when you ask for more and more?

"They end up finding someone to do it to them."

In fact, many psychologists are already drawing attention to the damage that filters do to the mental health of many adolescents.

LESS IS MORE

Laura Escanes has spoken publicly about her retouching, although the 'influencer' thinks that "she judges herself a lot". Gtres

Also, currents change.

And what yesterday was a thin eyebrow and an idolatry of thinness, today can be a more muscular body with a Bratz doll face.

Clemente is critical of the fact that aesthetic treatments can be a fashion.

Because even resorbable substances, such as hyaluronic acid, induce changes in the tissues that can sometimes be permanent.

"Some patients at first look great but over the years it gives way to those

or

What is worn today, may not be tomorrow.

That is why you have to let yourself be advised by good professional doctors, where the dermatologist has a place of honor.

Dr. Clemente encourages practicing less is more.

"

Not in all cases it is because that person has put a lot of vials, it can be like that sometimes, but in most cases they are patients who have been undergoing treatments that have been correct in form and quantity at the time".

When doing it repeatedly, however, "they produce changes in the skin and a thickening of it, and that is difficult to correct."

It is the job of the doctor not to succumb to unbridled requests and to carry out the treatments in a personalized way and in harmony with the rest of the facial anatomy, argues Dr. Morales Ray, dermatologist and director of the clinic that bears his name.

"Aesthetic dermatology is

, so the proper diagnosis for each patient is mandatory."

He calls for good sense.

"Without performing treatments to make a person

THE AESTHETIC FOOTPRINT

Psychologists warn of how filters can affect mental health. Illustration by Sean Mackaoui

Morales Ray criticizes the fact that aesthetic medicine is not highly regulated in terms of which health professionals can perform it: "It makes it look

."

He gives the example of rhinomodeling with hyaluronic acid.

A technique that should only be performed by

and extensive anatomical knowledge, since it is a critical structure at the vascular level.

"In no case does it replace a surgical rhinoplasty, but it is indicated for small aesthetic defects in patients who do not want to undergo surgery."

In fact, Dr. Beatriz Beltrán indicates that this treatment has a high risk of complications if it is not performed correctly: "We can cause

, so it is important to emphasize that you have to put yourself in the hands of a professional."

Despite the end of aesthetics to improve appearance, there is not always a positive impact on patients, these same sources slide.

When they are performed indiscriminately and without a good prior diagnosis,

For this reason, the doctors consulted advocate that aesthetic medical treatments in young patients be "

, aimed solely at correcting specific anatomical defects and preventing aging.

There is a current that is already rebelling and encourages people to stop using filters on social networks, betting on a greater naturalness.

Even BeReal, the latest hit of this era,

and encourages sharing authentic rather than filtered moments.

Because continuing to see those faces without wrinkles or expression at all hours means, deep down, an internal struggle in that search for self-acceptance and can undermine self-esteem in a certain way, psychologists warn.

Paradoxically, it is inviting us to hate ourselves just as we are and to pretend to be someone else.

"There are

that no treatment will improve. You cannot teach someone so young that problems can be fixed with punctures. The more information that is handled, the better," concludes Dr. Cerrud.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

• instagram

• beauty

• Trends

• Social media